Air Quality

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Bill-Shrinking Summer Habits

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Trying to keep cool in the hot, humid days of a typical Midwestern summer can lead to exorbitant energy bills. A typical family in the United States spends a minimum of $2,000 a year on utilities, but great bill-shrinking summer habits could drop this amount by as much as 25 percent. The key to such savings is taking a whole-house approach. Not only should you invest wisely in energy-efficient products, but you should spend the energy you use with these products wisely.

Easy, Bill-Shrinking Summer Habits

Switch to a zoning HVAC system complete with programmable thermostats. A zoned system increases the energy efficiency of your HVAC equipment, enhances room comfort and saves you money by allowing you to specify the temperatures of different areas in your home. This prevents infrequently used rooms from wasting energy while also adjusting for natural temperature differences.

Plug home electronics, such as televisions and stereo equipment, into power strips. When these devices are not in use, simply turn off the power strip. This prevents the vampire energy drain that occurs when products like televisions are left in standby mode.

Close shades, drapes and blinds during hot summer days. Windows are the largest source of a household’s heat gain; blocking solar energy from heating up your home will save you significantly on cooling costs.

During heavy summertime use, change your air conditioner filter once a month. The more an air conditioner is run, the more particles will be caught in the system's filter. This can restrict airflow, forcing the air conditioner to work overtime. Overworked cooling systems use more energy and are prone to compressor failure, a costly equipment breakdown.

It’s hot outside -- dry your clothes on a clothesline instead of in a dryer. A clothes dryer uses the most electricity out of a household’s common appliances. If you do choose to use a clothes dryer, be sure to frequently clean the lint filter and check the outdoor vent opening for any clogging.

For more bill-shrinking summer habits, or to learn about high-efficiency heating and cooling products, contact the professionals at Comfort24-7.